Hadith #1352

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The fear of a believer is in his heart and his repentance is in his admission.

Let us delve into the profound meanings of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (taqiyyah) "تَقِيَّةُ" in this Hadith refers to the fear or consciousness of Allah that resides within the heart of a believer. It is a state of constant awareness and mindfulness of Allah's presence, His commandments, and His accountability. This fear is not a fear of punishment, but rather a fear of displeasing the Almighty, which leads to a sincere desire to fulfill His commands and avoid His prohibitions.

The word (mu'min) "مُؤْمِنِ" refers to a believer, someone who has faith in Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). The true essence of faith lies in the heart, and it manifests in one's actions and behavior. The fear of a believer, as mentioned in the Hadith, is deeply rooted in their heart, constantly guiding and motivating them to seek Allah's pleasure.

To further understand the concept of fear in the heart of a believer, we can turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18),

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and being conscious of our actions, as we will be held accountable for them on the Day of Judgment.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Imran (3:102), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].

This verse highlights the significance of fearing Allah in the truest sense, with utmost reverence and awe, recognizing His greatness and submitting to His will.

The second part of the Hadith states,

his repentance is in his admission.

The word (tawbah) "تَوْبَةُ" refers to repentance, seeking forgiveness, and turning back to Allah after committing a sin. The word (i'tirafih) "اعْتِرافِهِ" means admission or acknowledgement of one's mistakes and shortcomings.

This part of the Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah. It highlights the need for believers to admit their faults, take responsibility for their actions, and turn to Allah in repentance. This admission is a crucial step towards seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:37), we find the story of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his repentance after eating from the forbidden tree. Allah says,

Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

This verse illustrates the mercy and forgiveness of Allah, as He accepted the repentance of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) after his admission of wrongdoing.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true fear of Allah resides in the heart of a believer, guiding their actions and decisions. This fear is not driven by punishment, but by a sincere desire to please Allah and avoid His displeasure. It is a constant reminder of our accountability and the need to strive for righteousness.

Furthermore, the Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah. It reminds us to acknowledge our mistakes, take responsibility for our actions, and turn to Allah in repentance. Through sincere admission of our faults, we open the doors of Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

As Muslims, we should strive to cultivate the fear of Allah in our hearts and seek His forgiveness through sincere repentance. Let us constantly remind ourselves of our accountability and strive to improve our relationship with Allah, seeking His pleasure in all aspects of our lives. May Allah guide us and grant us the strength to be true believers who fear Him and seek His forgiveness.